FIFA Interactive World Cup kicks off

Take part for a chance to win $20,000.

FIFA, EA and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe have announced the new season of the FIFA Interactive World Cup, the world's only official FIFA global football gaming competition.

The FIWC is a season-long tournament mirroring the real world of football in which competitors from all around the world participate playing FIFA 10 on PS3.

Players will be able to compete for their spot in the Grand Final at one of 10 FIWC Live Qualifier Events across the globe, taking place in Australia, Brazil, Denmark, France, Italy, Japan, Poland, Russia, South Africa and the UK, or by playing online.

For the first time in the tournament’s history, the online competition of the FIWC via PlayStation Network will be split into two seasons. Season one started with the launch of FIFA 10 and concludes on December 18, 2009. The ten best players of season one from across the FIFA confederations will go through to the Grand Final, which will take place at Port Olympic in Barcelona on May 1, 2010.

Players who didn’t make it during season one can enter season 2 (January 4 - March 31) for another shot at qualifying for the final.

Registration for participating in the online leg of the FIWC 10 tournament will take place directly inside the retail version of FIFA 10 on PS3.

Alongside the 2009 FIWC champion, Bruce Grannec, the 31 finalists will compete to be crowned FIFA Interactive World Champion of the Year, rewarded with an invitation to the FIFA World Player Gala along with a $20,000 cash prize. The runner up will receive $5,000, while the player coming third will be awarded $1,000.

Details about the live qualifier events will be made available over the coming weeks at FIFA.com.